610-171 Fundamentals of Chemistry

Students intending to undertake chemistry 610-142 in order to meet prerequisites for later year chemistry or biochemistry subjects must achieve at a high level in the examination component of this subject. The chemistry sequence of 610-141 and 610-142 is available for students who have completed VCE Chemistry. Students will not be permitted to enrol in chemistry 610-171 if they have already completed chemistry 610-121, chemistry 610-141, chemistry 610-051 or equivalent studies.

Some knowledge of basic science will be assumed.

On completion, the student should have an understanding of the nature of matter, solutions and gases, the chemical change related to equilibrium, energy and kinetics, and the nature of redox processes; and structures and functional groups in organic molecules.

In the practical component, students should develop basic laboratory skills (observation, analytical techniques, report writing) and an appreciation of the health and safety issues associated with the safe handling and disposal of laboratory chemicals.

The subject provides an introduction to the nature of matter: elements, atoms, ions and molecules; the electronic structure of atoms and ions; bond formation, including covalent, ionic, metallic, hydrogen bonding, and van der Waals; solubility and the solution state; ions and hydration; the behaviour of gases; the mole concept; concentrations; stoichiometry; acids, bases, neutralisation reactions and salt formation; acid/base strength and the pH scale; energy and chemical systems; rates of reaction and reaction order; catalysis and enzymes; chemical equilibrium; the equilibrium constant, Ka, Kb, stability constants and solubility products; redox reactions and redox potentials; organic molecules: structure, nomenclature and functional groups; hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity; and biologically significant macromolecules.

This subject will provide the student with the opportunity to establish and develop the following generic skills: the ability to use conceptual models and gather and rationalise data, problem-solving and critical thinking.

Three 30-minute 'take home' tests held during the semester (15%); ongoing assessment of practical work throughout the semester (20%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (65%). Satisfactory completion of practical work is necessary to pass the subject.

• SS Zumdahl and SA Zumdahl, Chemistry. 6th edn, Houghton Mifflin, 2003.